1. Real Weddings

A Rustic Backyard Wedding at The Condor's Nest Ranch in Pala, California

Megan Tancredi (26, a manager at Anthropology) and Michael Guilbault (26, an insurance broker) got engaged around the time that Megan had gotten promo

Megan Tancredi (26, a manager at Anthropology) and Michael Guilbault (26, an insurance broker) got engaged around the time that Megan had gotten promoted to a higher-level management position and Mike had just started a new job. They went out for dinner to celebrate their accomplishments at one of their favorite restaurants, and Mike suggested going for frozen yogurt and a walk on the beach afterwards. "I started to complain about being cold and my feet hurting, and in Mike's mind he decided that there were too many people around to propose on the beach, which was his original plan. When we got back to Mike's car, he opened the door for me and before I knew it he was down on one knee," says Megan. The couple always had The Condor's Nest Ranch located in Pala, California in mind for their wedding venue, and when they first stepped onto the property that had a naturally beautiful backdrop, they knew it was perfect for a simple and rustic celebration. Much of the wedding decor was ordered from Etsy, craft stores and homemade to create a casually decorated venue with gold, ivory, blush and blue accents. Sunflowers and peonies filled the space with vibrant arrangements to compliment the rustic vibe, with were all handmade by a friend of the bride.

Custom Made Wedding Ceremony Program
Save-the-Date Custom Green Calendars
Gold Bracelet and Dangling Earrings
Bridal Shoes With Lace Trimmed Veil
Bridal Bouquet Against Wooden Wheel
The bride wore a simple ivory wedding dress with a matching veil trimmed with lace, designed by Casablanca Bridal. rn
Mike wore a charcoal gray vest with a window pane pattern, a blue checkered shirt and a gold tie from Men's Warehouse. rn
This was the third space we looked at, and we knew the minute we stepped foot onto the rustic and beautiful property that this was it," says Megan. "The peace we felt when we were there was unlike anything we have ever felt before. It would be the perfect backdrop to our unforgettable day."
"The three words that come to my mind when looking back at our wedding are "rustic, simple, and romantic," says Megan. "The venue was so beautiful on its own that we did not want to add too much and overwhelm the beautiful space."
Bride and Groom Ceremonial First Kiss
The bride and groom stood with their wedding party in front of the barn at The Condor's Nest Ranch. Bridesmaid's wore long pink dresses while the groomsmen wore charcoal gray vests and pants.
Married Couple Having Intimate Moment
The escort cards were white pieces of paper with animal figurines on top placed on a wooden dresser, positioned next to a glass white door with the seating arrangements written out.
Animal Figurines on White Escort Cards
At the reception, guests wrote personal messages with markers on a wooden dresser for the married couple.
Written animal names in white frames were placed on each reception dining table to identify where guests are seated.
A wooden slab centerpiece had moss pomanders, small colorful flower arrangements and a silver tin on top.
"Lucky for me I was able to recruit a friend of mine to do our flower arrangements," says Megan. "I showed her a handful of photos that I liked and then let her take it from there. I knew I wanted a fresh-cut/wildflower look and she did just that. We had a variety of flowers including peonies and sunflowers! Our arrangements appeared effortless and natural which was perfect for the rustic feel of the ranch."
Couple Initials With Yellow Floral Arrangements
The couple had an ivory cake decorated with a "love birds" cake topper and accents of blush flowers.
"Love" Mugs With Colorful Flowers
Entire Dessert Spread With Colorful Decorations
Champagne Toasting at the Wedding